Ceiling Mounted Hanging Device

ABSTRACT

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a hanging device with sufficient support, functionality and simplicity to fulfill many designer closet and/or commercial functions. The hanging device of the invention is compact and has a reinforced structure, thereby taking into account both esthetic and practical aspects. Additionally the hanging device also provides designer uses. 
     The hanging device invention comprises two connective fixtures, two vertical support members, and a hanging rod. The two connective fixtures are welded to the vertical support rod, which is mitered and welded to the hanging rod. The welding hanging device forms a solid device which is then suspended from a ceiling or other suitable overhead plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION RECEIVED

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hanging device. More particularly, the invention relates to a specially-mounted hanging device with improved mounting versatility and aesthetic appearance.

2. Description of the Related Art

The conventional closet is usually provided with hanging devices in the form of a horizontal rod. In most cases these hanging devices tend to be of two types, defined by the means of support: in the first, rods are supported at their ends by brackets attached to side walls or panels (cf. Marsh, U.S. Pat. No. 2,215,331; Ross, U.S. Pat. No. 2,905,426); in the second, rods are supported by brackets cantilevered from a rear wall or panel (cf. Specker, Jr., Design Pat No. 315,862).

In several situations, these solutions are inadequate or undesirable. The first type, a rod supported by brackets at either end, is inadequate in a room where proximate walls or panels are not available (for instance, a room without closet space in which a discrete section of the room is desired as designated for hanging clothes). The first type is undesirable in a room where a user has a particularly wide closet and does not wish to stretch a rod across its entire width.

The second type, in which a rod is supported by cantilevered brackets, often allows the rod to slide back and forth—the rod is held in place only by the friction of the rod against the brackets. (See Di Panni's description of this problem in U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,272.) In instances where the means of support does not rely on this friction to prevent sliding back on forth (cf. Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,423), the support does rely on friction to prevent rotation of the rod. The present invention avoids this reliance on friction (a reliance that tends to make the object wear down over time), and lends the object a longer life-span by simply welding together the mitered ends of the horizontal rod and the vertical support members.

Moreover, in situations where the desired rod length is not one of a handful of standard, mass-produced lengths, the prevalent alternative is a rod of adjustable length. Adjustable rods (cf. Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,426; Felstenthal, U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,787) tend to be noisy, because of internal spring or latch mechanisms, and, because they require nested bars, tend to not allow for a smooth surface along which to slide hangers.

Existing examples of hanging devices with adjustable vertical support elements include Baumer (Pub No 20080087787) and Carmody (U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,924). In the case of Baumer, the adjustable vertical support is liable to swing back and forth. In the case of Carmody, the adjustable vertical element is mostly fiat and thus lacks the structural rigidity of a cylinder. Additionally, both systems are aesthetically unappealing. In Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,915), which has some of the desirable vertical stiffness lacking in Baumer and Carmody, there is again the question of a lack of aesthetic appeal, due to the visible adjustment mechanism. The present invention, which is manufactured to custom dimensions, improves on existing art by allowing for a variety of widths and heights without sacrificing structural integrity, smoothness, quiet, or aesthetic appeal.

Tong (Pub No 20060266908) discloses a means of attaching a retractable hook to a ceiling or other horizontal panel. This method of attachment, though versatile, requires that the attached fixture be free to rotate independently. The present invention, which requires two points of attachment, and which links the two support members inflexibly, cannot rely on Tong's method. Instead, welded connective devices with screw holes provide a straightforward, secure, and unobtrusive means of attachment.

Efforts to strengthen familiar types of garment-hanging rods with particularly wide reach have included the addition of mid-rod support (cf. Du Pree, U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,139; Di Panni, U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,272). However, this support restricts the movement of hangers all along the length of the rod. Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,915) evades this problem somewhat, but the present invention does not require such reinforcement and as a result preserves freedom of movement.

The first embodiment of the present invention, then, is designed to evade the problems associated with all familiar types of garment hanging device, and to provide significant aesthetic advantages over presently known mounting systems. It combines familiar elements into a new, elegant, and structurally solid device.

The second embodiment of the present invention improves on existing models of garment racks (cf. Solomon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,209; Handler et al., Design Pat No. 304,528). It combines the aesthetic appeal, strength, and versatility of the first embodiment with a more stable, smooth mount than existing garment racks offer.

Existing garment racks that allow for rack mobility rely on wheels (cf. Solomon; Handler et al.; and Arnold, Design Pat No. 289,243). Wheels, especially when the four wheels of the rack are not aligned in the same direction, can be finicky and the rack sometimes requires shifting in multiple directions before it can be effectively moved. The second embodiment of the present invention relies on a ball transfer system—as a result, the rack can much more easily shift direction, even when supporting a significant amount of weight.

When used without the ball transfer system, and with rubber footings instead, the second embodiment of the present invention offers an aesthetic improvement over the present art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a hanging device that will be sturdy, smooth, quiet, strong, and have a clean aesthetic appearance. It will not rely on the presence of vertical walls or panels for sizing or placement.

According to one aspect of the invention, the hanging device comprises two connective fixtures, two vertical support members, and a horizontal hanging rod. The vertical support members are mitered and welded to each end of the horizontal rod, effecting structural integrity and simplicity of design. The connective fixtures are welded to the upper ends of each support member, and contain holes sized to admit appropriate screws. The entire unit is suspended from a ceiling or other suitable overhead plane.

In another embodiment of the invention, the above hanging device is inverted, with the addition of a horizontal support rod towards the open ends of the support members, and with the replacement of the connective fixtures with footings. In this embodiment, the hanging device becomes freestanding.

According to another aspect of the second embodiment of the invention, ball transfer units can be attached to the above-named footings. This embodiment is now both freestanding and mobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herein provide a further understanding of the invention and, incorporated herein, constitute a part of the invention disclosure. A brief introduction of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is an overall elevation of the banging device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall section of the hanging device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross section according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevation according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan of the ceiling attachment portion of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall elevation according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross section according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed side elevation according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan of the base according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross section according to the second embodiment of the invention

FIG. 11 is a detailed side elevation according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan of the base according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross section according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a detailed side elevation according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan of the base according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a photograph according to the first embodiment of the invention as installed.

FIG. 17 is a photograph according to the first embodiment of the invention as installed.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view according to the third embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is only illustrative of specific structures and ways of making the invention, and does not limit the scope of the invention. Wherever possible in the description, like reference numerals will refer to like elements and parts unless otherwise illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the first embodiment of the invention will be described herein.

FIG. 1 shows the device from a cross sectional view, demonstrating the three basic elements:

-   -   1 circular steel welded cover plate with two drilled holes for         attachment to the ceiling (7), welded to     -   2 the vertical steel tube closet rod support, mitered and welded         to     -   3 a cross section of the horizontal steel tube acting as the         hanging device (4).

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device showing a clear picture of how the four elements 1, 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, are welded together to form the device, and how the device is attached to the ceiling (7). The lengths of the rod measurements found in all the drawings can be manufactured in varying lengths, giving the device versatility as a design element.

FIG. 3 is a view looking up into the cover plate 1 which is welded to the vertical support rods 2 a and 2 b for attachment to the ceiling media (7).

FIG. 4-6 show the second embodiment of the device, which inverts the first embodiment and renders it freestanding by incorporating two structural elements:

-   -   3 b, the lower horizontal support bar,     -   6 a and 6 b, the footings, which replace each cover plate 1, and     -   8 a-d, hard rubber pads, glued to 6 a/b, to give the rack         traction and added stability

FIG. 5 clearly delineates the mitered and welded connections of horizontal support rod 3 b to vertical rods 2 a and 2 b. Vertical rod 2 a is mitered and welded at one end to horizontal hanging rod 3 a and is welded at the other end to steel footing 6 a (with pads 8 c/d which rest on flooring 8). Vertical rod 2 b is similarly affixed both to the remaining end of the horizontal hanging rod and to footing 6 b (with pads 8 a/b resting on flooring 8).

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a typical footing 6 a/b, which is welded to the vertical support rod 2 a or 2 b, with the hard rubber pads 8 a-d underneath as indicated.

FIG. 7-9 show the third embodiment of the hanging device, which is the same as the stationary floor variation, except that it is rendered mobile through the addition of two added elements:

-   -   Steel plates 9 a-f, which replace footings 6 a/b to receive the     -   Ball transfers 10 a-f, for making the rack movable

FIG. 7-9 also show an embodiment incorporating an optional horizontal bar 3 c for taller racks.

FIG. 7 shows that the rubber pads cause the footings 6 a/b to sit higher above the floor.

FIG. 8 shows that even though these footings sit higher, the support bar 3 b remains the same distance above the footings.

In view of the foregoing, the invention is a hanging device that is simple, versatile, and structurally reinforced. It accommodates unusual demands of space while maintaining a clean aesthetic appearance.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description is only illustrative of specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims. 

1. A ceiling-mounted banging device comprising: one horizontal, cylindrical hanging rod, of variable (but not adjustable) length; two vertical, cylindrical support members, of variable (but not adjustable) length, mitered and welded to either extreme of the hanging rod at right angles; two connective fixtures welded to the free end of each support member, mountable with screws to a ceiling or other horizontal panel; the construction of which features no extraneous structural or decorative elements, resulting in a large weight-bearing ability, stability, and aesthetic cleanness.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the above described structure is inverted and a horizontal support rod is added towards the base, and the connective fixtures are replaced with Rat footings with attached hard rubber pads to create a free standing hanging device.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein an additional horizontal support rod (resulting in a total of three horizontal rods) is added, at a variable distance of from the uppermost horizontal rod, to accommodate an aesthetic demand for a taller rack.
 4. The device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the rubber pads are replaced with ball transfer devices, creating a movable hanging device. 